The objective of the plan is to increase team and driver participation in the series, identify cost efficiencies for competitors and establish guidelines for advancing to the Verizon IndyCar Series.

INDYCAR and Andersen Promotions has released a five-year plan for Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires.

The objective of the plan—shown to current and prospective entrants—is to increase team and driver participation in the top level of the INDYCAR-sanctioned Mazda Road to Indy development ladder, identify cost efficiencies for competitors and establish guidelines for advancing to the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The road map has a structure of four primary areas including a reduction in budgets for entrants, an increase in prize money paid to competitors, revised INDYCAR driver licensing guidelines, and the expansion of the Verizon IndyCar Series testing program.

Highlights of the cost savings plan include a reduction in new chassis pricing, a spare parts discount to new teams, a discount on Cooper tires and a reduction in engine lease pricing.

The increase in race prize money includes $50,000 to win the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in addition to an increase in payout for the top three finishers at every event. The season champion's prize will be increased to $1.1 million built on a three-race Verizon IndyCar Series package for the following season that includes the Indianapolis 500.

Indy Lights remains the integral path to the Verizon IndyCar Series. The introduction of an Indy Lights team incentive program will be designed to encourage Verizon IndyCar Series teams to participate. With suppliers participating, new Indy Lights entries can save more than $100,000.

New teams for the 2019 season will see significant savings on offseason testing, including free entry to a two-day test at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, new Motegi Racing wheels at no charge and six free sets of Cooper tires.

In related news, Mazda has announced that its support for Indy Lights, Pro Mazda and USF2000 will end at the conclusion of the 2018 season in September.

IndyCar issued a statement in response to the news, stating: “The Road to Indy program has staged great racing over the years while developing teams and drivers for the Verizon IndyCar Series, and that will continue with plans soon to be announced. Mazda has been a transformative partner, and IndyCar is appreciative of its many contributions.”